Historians get Curious about video games in Edinburgh
8 October 2025
An expert panel of historians and game makers explored the impact and cultural value of video games and media.
Chaired by Cardiff University’s Senior Lecturer in Digital History Dr Esther Wright, the panel discussed the relationship between fantasy and history in games and media that represent conflict and war.
The collaboration between the Historical Games Network and the Imperial War Museums Institute took place at the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious Festival 2025, exploring the role of fantasy, alternative histories and imagination in their creation and play.
The panel featured Public Historian Dr. Chris Kempshall, Imperial War Museums and University of Glasgow PhD student Mimi Markham, artist and independent researcher Dr. Fruzsina Pittner, and Glasgow Games and Gaming Lab’s Dr. Tim Peacock.
In front of an audience of over 150 people – on-site in Edinburgh and online via YouTube – the discussion explored the challenges faced by both historians and game makers when dealing with the past, present and future in games and media, and how historical ideas are addressed in fictional game worlds.
Speakers grappled with the complexities of representing diverse histories, and the importance of consulting with different communities when trying to tell their stories in a meaningful way.
They also touched on controversial topics in the study of history and games, such as audience expectations for historically “authenticity”, and the way that these claims are often weaponised to exclude certain groups or stories despite their fantastical settings and stories.
Dr Wright said:
It was a pleasure to chair such a fascinating and insightful discussion between our panelists and the audience.
“The Historical Games Network has always been keen to platform a diversity of perspectives on games and history, and RSE Curious was the perfect platform to do that this year.”
Dr Peacock reflected, “It was really encouraging to have such an engaged audience and thought-provoking discussion of ways in which war, from history and fantasy, may be constructed and reflected in video games, challenging how we imagine and interpret conflicts.”
“Fantasy, war, and computer games interact with each other in fascinating ways, and it was wonderful to see so many people in the audience who wanted to explore these concepts with us,” said guest speaker Dr Chris Kempshall.
Curious is an annual open-to-all festival of knowledge, inviting a chance to explore ideas with leading thinkers and like-minded individuals.
The week-long event spanned a wide range of topics, including science, arts and innovation, encouraging knowledge exchange and insightful dialogue.
Eleanor Head, Head of the Imperial War Museums Institute, said “We were delighted to partner with the Historical Games Network for this event, serving as a thoughtful reminder of the profound intersection between war, fantasy and gaming.”
Watch a recording of the event via YouTube.
This event was funded by a Cardiff University Harmonised Impact Accelerator Account.
